Redefining Urban Renewal in Times Square

Severud Associates played a critical role in TSX Broadway, breathing new life into the landmarked Palace Theater while creating a dynamic mixed-use destination in the heart of New York City’s Times Square.

Preserving History, Elevating Possibilities

This project presented a unique challenge: preserving the century-old Palace Theater while creating expansive new retail space and a contemporary hotel. Severud engineers achieved this feat by raising the entire theater a remarkable 30 feet above street level. This daring undertaking allowed the excavation of a second cellar level and the addition of two retail levels, maximizing the development potential of the site.

Innovative Engineering for Uninterrupted Construction

The existing 36-story hotel, which straddled the theater, posed another challenge. In response, the Severud team engineered a multi-stage construction sequence. Four existing super-columns were reinforced and extended and the existing hotel tower demolished, after which the structure’s central—and most critical—feature, a transfer system of three post-tensioned concrete girders, 44 feet deep and spanning 140 feet over the theater, was installed and tied together with concrete slabs. The new 32-story hotel tower springs from the transfer level.

A Testament to Ingenuity and Collaboration

TSX Broadway and Palace Theater Redevelopment demonstrates Severud Associates’ expertise in executing complex structural engineering design and ability to deliver innovative solutions for challenging urban projects. Severud contributed to a project that revitalizes a historic landmark and creates a vibrant new destination in one of the world’s most visited locations.

 

In 2023, Benjamin Alper, Senior Principal at Severud participated in several online discussions about the TSX Broadway project.  Listen to the podcasts at the links below.

•   – February 2023 – Raising History in Times Square – STO Building Group
•   – July 2023 – Transforming Times Square – Zweig Group, TZL
•   – November 2023 – Building Lifting – ARCAT (+ on YouTube)
•   – December 2023 – How to Relocate an Iconic 100 Year Old Theater– EntreArchitect
•   –  In May 2024, Cawsie Jijina, P.E. Managing Principal and Benjamin Alper P.E., Senior Principal, both at Severud presented at the Structural Engineering Awards webinar on TSX Broadway and the Palace Theater.  Listen to their webinar here.

 

Read more about Severud’s involvement with TSX Broadway and the Palace Theater in these articles:

  –  Severud’s Contribution to TSX Broadway/Palace Theater – on America ByDesign

  –  Structural Engineers Transform Times Square